Louis Philippe French Walnut Buffet, Circa 1845

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Buffet or credenza from the Louis Philippe period in France. This piece is an authentic provincial cabinet crafted in the … Read more Buffet or credenza from the Louis Philippe period in France. This piece is an authentic provincial cabinet crafted in the Rhone Valley of France. It is made of solid wood construction, primarily walnut. It has been finished with a hand-applied French polish of museum-quality. There are three dovetailed drawers at the top, each with a bronze knob. They fit beautifully into the softened “doucine” design of the apron, a classic Louis Philippe detail. The neoclassical sideboard has a working lock and key on the two doors that open outward. The doors open to one interior wood shelf. The buffet features curved detailing by the feet as well. The buffet is in excellent antique condition – the photos accurately depict the condition.

The Louis Philippe period refers to the time in France when Charles X was overthrown in 1830 and Louis Philippe, Duke of Orleans, became France’s new leader. He managed both royalists to his right and radicals to the left, while sympathizing with the bourgeois class. Louis Philippe period furniture maintained the simple, rounded lines of the Restoration, but with less ornamentation. The function of furniture was of prime importance. Walnut and mahogany were the predominant woods. Tables and commodes often had marble tops. A characteristic trait of case pieces in the Louis Philippe style is the “doucine“ (soft curve). At the top of buffets, chests, armoires and secretaries a slight curvature is often seen, lending softness to the otherwise straight lines common of the period. See less